Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Kaleb Johnson

Friday, November 14, 3:54 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) has officially been ruled out for his team's Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This will mark Pacheco's second straight missed game after he suffered an MCL sprain in Week 8. Without him, Kansas City will likely turn to veteran running back Kareem Hunt to handle the majority of their backfield work. Hunt recorded 11 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills with Pacheco sidelined. Rookie running back Brashard Smith could mix in as well, but Smith earned just four touches against Buffalo. Hunt profiles as a borderline RB2/high-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 11. Pacheco should have a chance to return to the field in Week 12 when the Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts.

Friday, November 7, 7:59 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson was going as a late-round flier with upside in fantasy drafts this fall, but he was quickly sent to the waiver wire. The 22-year-old third-rounder out of Iowa has been a distant third on Pittsburgh's RB depth chart behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell this year, and he didn't help himself with a costly special-teams blunder early in the season. So far through his first five NFL games, Johnson has handled only 15 rushing attempts for 40 yards (2.7 yards per carry) while catching one of his two targets for nine yards. He played five offensive snaps in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts, which was actually an improvement after not playing at all the previous two games. It will take an injury to Warren or Gainwell for Johnson to get more involved, which means he's only stash-worthy in fantasy football in dynasty/keeper leagues.